Control device for gasoline dispensing systems



D. J. NELSON Aug. 13, 1940.

CONTROL DEVICE FOR GASOLINE DISPENSING SYSTEMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1939 INVENTOR Dawk/ J Nelson BY z p ATTORNEY E Aug. 13, 1940- D. J. NELSON 1,

CONTROL DEVICE FOR GASOLINE DISPENSING SYSTEMS Filed July 28, 1959 2 Sheetsr-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Dav/d J Nelson I 43 BY M ATTORNEY I Patented Aug. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES CONTROL DEVICE FOR GASOLINE DISPENSING SYSTEMS David J. Nelson, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Martin & Schwartz, Inc., a corporation of Maryland Application July 28, 1939, Serial No. 287,111

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in control devices for use in gasoline dispensing systems.

In the dispensing of gasoline in crowded communitie's, the danger of fire and explosion has prompted the use of numerous safety devices, among which is a control, located at the end of the dispensing hose, which is operative to shut off the pressure source of the gasoline. A practical embodiment of this idea has proved rather difiicult, as the flexibility of the hose'and the changes in temperature to which such devices are subjected, has barred the use of numerous types of control instrumentalities.

In the present invention, a pneumatic system is provided which is not affected in any manner by changes in temperature, since it contains a venting device which retains the control system at atmospheric pressure when not in operation. The invention also incorporates a specially formed hose having an integrally molded air conduit which eliminates the undesirable features of attached tubes as used in the prior art, for example in the Bowden wire types of controls.

These and other features of the invention, including several embodiments of the pressure generating unit for the control system, are more fully set forth in the accompanying specification and drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a gasoline dispenser showing the hose control in use during a dispensing operation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the control and of the switch mechanism which is operated thereby;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-4! of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an independently operable control which is organized with the nozzle body structure;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a dispensing nozzle containing a control which is trigger operated;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view, showing the electric circuit of the dispenser.

'In Fig. 1 there is shown a dispenser cabinet H) from which extends a hose ll terminating in a nozzle l 2. As is well known in the art, a motorpump unit it within the cabinet l0 draws gaso linefrom a suitable supply tank and directs it first through a meter l4 and thence to the dispensing hose II. It is also customary to provide an exterior switch lever l5 on the cabinet, which may be operated to control the motor I3a. As best shown in Fig. 7, it will be observed that the switch lever 15 is of the hook type, and it is connected by a link to a switch ll, which switch is interposed in the motor circuit l8, I9, 20. In my U. S. Patent No. 1,857,969 I provided a second switch for the circuit, which was remotely operated by liquid pressure from the hose or nozzle of the dispensing unit. This switch is. indicated generally by the numeral 22 in Fig. 7, and it will be understood that the present invention is concerned with improvements in operating means for the switch 22 or equivalents thereof.

The switch 22 (Fig. 2) is carried within a box 23, and it is preferably of a well known commercial type'characterized by the small throw of its switch button 22a. The box 23 is formed with an outlet boss 24, wherein is fitted a hollow stem 25. An expansible bellows 26, serving as an actuator for the switch, is secured over the end of the stem 25, and its freeextremity 26a engages a lever 21, which lever in turn is adapted to engage the button 22a. One end of the lever is formed with a bearing 28 which is mounted on a pivot stud 29, while the opposite end of the lever is bent to form a limit stop 3!, which is engageable with the body of the switch 22.

' The hose H is preferably formed with an integrally molded'axial pad 32, containing an air passage or pneumatic conduit 33 (Fig. 4). The upper extremity of this passage communicates with the bellows stem 25 through a connecting tube 30, which tube is secured to the stem by a fitting 34. The nozzle end of the hose I l receives a hollow, torus-shaped bulb 0r generator 35, which bulb is formed of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute. One side of the bulb is formed with a pierced boss 36 which communicates with the adjoining extremity of the air passage 33 through a coupling tube 38. The bulb 35 may be cemented to the hose to prevent axial displacement during use. The bulb 35 is also formed'with an integral peripheral vent passage 40 which at one extremity communicates with the chamber of the bulb through a port 4|. The opposite end of the passage 40 leads to the atmosphere through a vent port 42. 1

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the operator, during a dispensing operation, may assume a customary position while operating the actuator bulb 35. That is, he may operate the nozzle trigger with one hand, while the other hand grasps the bulb 35 and thus supports the hose a short distance from the nozzle l2. Assuming that the hook lever l5 has been raised to condition the motor circuit for operation, then it will be seen that when the operator squeezes the bulb 35, the air in the pneumatic system will be compressed and the bellows 26 accordingly extended to close the switch 22. Gasoline under pressure is then immediately available for a dispensing operation through the valve-controlled nozzle l2. When the bulb 35 is thus operated. it will be apparent that the pressure applied by the hand of the operator will first close the vent passage 4t and thus prevent air escape through the vent port 42. The moment the operator releases his grip on the bulb 35, the air in the pneumatic system is restored to normal pressure and the switch 22 is opened, with the resulting stoppage of the pump. Thus, should the operator carelessly leave the dispensing station with the nozzle remaining in the gasoline tank of an automobile, the pressure in the hose would be automatically cut off. Under these circumstances, movement of the car would rupture the hose, but only a small quantity of gasoline would be lost.

It will be noted that during all idle periods, the air in the pneumatic system is retained at atmospheric pressure, since the system is open to the atmosphere through the vent conduit 40. It will thus be obvious that the system can not be affected by changes in temperature.

If desired, the pressure generating element may be directly embodied in the nozzle structure. For example, in Fig. 5, the nozzle body 44 is formed with an integral open chamber 45 which receives a bellows unit 46. The unit consists of a bellows 43 capped by heads 41 and 48, the latter head being screwed into the open end of the chamber 45, and carrying a coupling tube 50 which leads to a drilled passage in the dispenser grip 52. The passage 5|, in turn, is connected to the air passage 33 of the hose through a coupling tube 53. The free or movable head 41 is formed with an axial air vent 54.

The upper end of the chamber 45 contains a hole 55 through which a shouldered actuator button 56 projects. The button carries a rubber valve 5'! which overlies the vent hole 54.

The device of Fig. 5 operates in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment. When the button is depressed, it first closes the vent port 54 (through contact of the valve 51 with the port 54), and then it depresses the bellows 43 in a piston-like action to compress the air. In this, and the presently described third embodiment, it will be assumed that the remainder of the pneumatic system is similar to that of the first embodiment.

In Fig. 6, the generator is directly organized with the trigger 12a of the nozzle, so that the nozzle valve and generator may be operated by a single manual control. The nozzle contains the usual seat 60 and spring pressed valve 6| thereon. The nozzle stem 62, however, is hollow, and furthermore both of its ends 63 and 64 project through glands 65, 66 in the nozzle body.

A bellows unit, consisting of a bellows 61 and heads 88 and 69, is organized with the trigger end 63 of the stem, said head 68 being secured to the end 63, with the head 69 freely extending toward the trigger l2a. The lower head 69 contains a vent orifice in which a valve II is loosely fitted. The head Ha of the valve loosely rests against the adjoining portion of the trigger l2a. Telescoped cups (3, 14 are secured to the gland 65 and head 69, respectively, and they serve to protect, as well as to guide, the bellows during operation.

The upper end 64 of the valve stem is connected to a drilled passage '16 in the dispenser grip 5211 by a flexible coupling tube 11. The

passage 16 is connected to the air passage 33 of the hose by a second coupling tube 18.

In the operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6, the first movement of the trigger |2a tightly seats the vent valve H and compresses the bellows against the force of the valve spring, thus forcing air through the hollow stem 62 and thence through the hose to operate the control switch. Further movement of the trigger |2a causes the engagement of the extremity of the valve stem by the head 69, and thus the valve may be opened to any desired degree.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that although I have described the invention as being associated with a well known dispensingsystem, the invention is not limited to such use, as it will be obvious that the pneumatically operated device may be used to control various types of instrumentalities, such as solenoid valves or relays, which may be used in other dispensing systems.

I claim:

1. In a liquid dispenser, a casing, a valved dispensing hose on the casing, a source of liquid under pressure, control means for said source carried within the casing, pneumatically operable means for actuating said control means, a torusshaped rubber bulb encircling said hose and having an extended air vent conduit, an air passage connection between the control means and said bulb, said air vent conduit being collapsible to a closed position when the bulb is grasped for operation.

'2. In a liquid dispenser, a casing, a valved dispensing hose on the casing, said hose having a free end, a source of liquid under pressure, control means for said source carried within said casing, pneumatically operable means located Within said casing for actuating said control means, a manually contractible pneumatic generator carried on the free end of the hose, an air vent port on the generator, a manually operable valve for closing said last named port, said valve being suitably located on the generator so that it may be closed by and during operation thereof, and an air passage connection between the generator and said pneumatically operable means.

3. In a liquid dispenser, having a source of liquid under pressure, a valved hose having a free end, and a control for said source located remotely from said hose, the combination of manually operable air pressure means carried on the free end of the hose, pneumatically operable means tor operating said control, and a conduit carried by said hose and connecting said air pressure means with said pneumatically operable means, said pressure means including a vent port which is normally open to the atmosphere and which is closable when such means is operated.

l. In a liquid dispenser, a casing, a dispensing hose on the casing having a valved nozzle on its free extremity, said nozzle having a hollow, axially-movable valve stem projecting therethrough, a manually operable trigger carried by the nozzle and located adjacent one end of the stem, a bellows assembly including a contractible bellows member closed by a pair of heads, said last named end of the stem being secured to one head and extending therethrough to a point spaced from the remaining head, an air vent port on said remaining head and a valve therefor, said trigger being movable to engage and close the vent valve and also to move said remaining head to compress said bellows, and being further movable to cause the engagement of said remaining head with the valve stem to move the stem, pneumatically operable control means disposed within the casing, and conduit means connecting the remaining end of the hollow stem with said control means.

5. In a liquid dispenser having a source of liquid under pressure, a casing, a hose on the casing having a nozzle at its free extremity, said nozzle having an integral chamber formed therein, a

depressible closed bellows carried within the chamber, an air vent port in the bellows, a manually depressible button extending through the chamber and operable to depress the bellows, said button carrying a valve engageable with the port of the bellows, a control for said pressure source located within the casing, pneumatically operable means for actuating said control, and air conduit means for connecting the interior of the bellows with said pneumatically operable means.

6. In a gasoline dispensing system of the type described, including a dispensing hose having a separate air conduit, a pneumatically operable control for the dispensing mechanism connected to said conduit, a pneumatic generator comprising a hollow rubber bulb secured to the free extremity of the hose and communicating with said air passage, an extended air vent conduit disposed on the surface of the bulb, said conduit being collapsible to a closed position when the bulb is grasped for operation.

7. In liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing gasoline, and of the type including a storage tank connected in series with a pump and a dispensing hose and an electric motor for operating said pump to force gasoline from the tank through the hose, an electric switch for opening and closing the circuit for the motor, and remotely located pneumatic means for operating said switch, said pneumatic means comprising a three-component system of a compressible and extensible generator disposed on the free end of the hose, an extensible and retractible actuator disposed adjacent said switch to effect operation thereof in response to movements of the actuator, and a pneumatic conduit connecting said generator and actuator, a vent for said pneumatic system for normally venting the same to the atmosphere and thereby maintaining said three components under the same and atmospheric pressure, said vent being manually closable upon instituting a dispensing operation, whereby upon compression of the generator there will be developed in said pneumatic system a pressure greater than atmospheric for efiecting movement of the actuator and thereby said switch.

8. In liquid dispensing apparatus of the type including a source of liquid to be dispensed, a hose connected to said source through which dispensing is efiected, and means for controlling the flow of liquid from said source to said hose, a pneumatic system for remotely controlling said flow control means comprising, a three component system of a pressure generator, a control actuator responsive to pressures created in said generator, and a pneumatic conduit connecting said generator and actuator, said generator and actuator being in constant fluid communication with each other through said conduit and thereby normally under equal pressures, means for normally venting said system to atmosphere whereby said system is normally under atmospheric pressure, said venting means being manually closable upon conditioning the system for a dispensing operation, said generator being compressible to create a pressure in said system greater than atmospheric when said venting means is closed, said actuator, upon generation of said greater pressure, being thereby movable to operate said control means.

9. In a gasoline dispenser in which there is a source of gasoline to be dispensed, a hose connected to said source, means for moving the gasoline from said source and through said hose, and control means for governing the flow of gasoline, pneumatic means for remotely actuating said control means, said pneumatic means comprising a normally extended and manually compressible member disposed on the dispensing end of said hose, a pneumatic conduit connected to said compressible member, and actuator means extensible under pressure disposed in juxtaposition to said control means connected to the opposite end of said conduit, a vent in said pneumatic means whereby the same is normally open to the atmosphere and said pneumatic means is thereby under atmospheric pressure, said Vent being closable upon instituting a dispensing operation to efiect the development of an actuating pressure in said pneumatic means when said compressible member is manually compressed.

10. Gasoline dispensing apparatus comprising, a source of gasoline to be dispensed, a delivery hose, means for transmitting gasoline from said sourceto and through said hose, and means for controlling flow by said transmitting means, a pneumatic control system for operating said flowcontrolling means, said system comprising a manually compressible pneumatic pressure generator disposed on the free end of the hose, a conduit connected to said generator and extending along said hose, a pneumatically extensible actuator disposed in cooperative relationship with said flow-controlling means to operate said means in response to movements of the actuator, a pneumatic conduit connecting said generator and actuator, and an air vent in said generator normally open to atmosphere, whereby the system is normally open to the atmosphere and is inoperative under expansion efiects incident to temperature changes or the elongation of the hose, said air vent being manually closable by an attendant upon instituting a dispensing operation whereby manual compression of the generator effects movement of the actuator.

DAVID J. NEE-SON. 

